Diocese of Trenton accepts resignations of pastor, youth minister

TRENTON — The Diocese of Trenton announced that Bishop David M. O’Connell, has accepted the resignation of Father Thomas J. Triggs as pastor of St. Mary Parish, Colts Neck, effective immediately. The resignation follows recent reports that Father Michael Fugee, a priest of the Archdiocese of Newark, had assisted in several activities of the parish’s youth group despite having been restricted from such ministry in an agreement with law enforcement authorities in Bergen County.

“We have no comments on it” said a woman who did not want to be identified at St. Mary’s parish in Colts Neck, which is part of Diocese of Trenton. Bishop O’Connell has granted Father Triggs a period of sabbatical before he will be given a new assignment.

The Diocese of Trenton released a statement April 29 reporting that it was first made aware of the presence of Father Michael Fugee at a youth retreat held in St. Mary Parish through an inquiry from the media on April 23. The statement stipulated that Father Fugee had been given no permission to exercise ministry there by the Diocese nor had he filed with the Chancery the “letter of suitability” required of all priests outside of the Diocese before they are to conduct a ministry. According to that statement, upon learning of Fugee’s activities, Bishop O’Connell immediately contacted Triggs and indicated that Fugee was not permitted to be involved in any ministry involving youth. O’Connell then contacted officials in the Archdiocese of Newark to inform them of developments concerning Fugee.

In 2001, Fugee, while serving in Wycoff, was convicted of criminal sexual contact with a minor. That conviction was later overturned on appeal for procedural reasons. Rather than retry the case, authorities offered Fugee the opportunity to undergo counseling and rehabilitation and to agree to limited ministry that would preclude access to children and youth. In compliance with those restrictions, the Archdiocese had given Father Fugee responsibilities in the Chancery in Newark.

On May 3, the Archdiocese of Newark issued a release reporting that Father Fugee had requested to be removed from active ministry as a priest, and had taken full responsibility for actions that went beyond his assigned ministry with the Archdiocese. Archbishop John J. Myers accepted the resignation, effective immediately.